Rufous Hummingbird Photo Gallery
Adult male
Small hummingbird with a nearly straight bill, a tail that tapers to a point when folded, and fairly short wings that don’t reach the end of the tail when the bird is perched. Males are bright orange on the back and belly, with a vivid iridescent-red throat.
© Spencer Follett / Macaulay LibraryNew Mexico, August 04, 2017Female/immature male
Females/immatures are greenish above with rusty-washed flanks, rusty patches on their green tail, and often a spot of orange on the throat.
© Ian Routley / Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, September 16, 2016Immature male
Immature males have rusty washed sides and a spot of orange coming in on their throat.
© David Wade / Macaulay LibraryColorado, August 14, 2016Adult male
The majority of adult males have a rusty back and tail. The outer tail feathers are broad and the fourth tail feather from the outside has a notched tip.
© Matthew Pendleton / Macaulay LibraryUtah, July 12, 2016Adult male
Some adult males have green on their backs similar to Allen's Hummingbirds. Separating these green-backed individuals in the field requires careful inspection of the shape of the spread outer tail feathers.
© Tony V / Macaulay LibraryWashington, May 15, 2017Female/immature male
Broad outer tail feathers help to differentiate female/immature Rufous Humminbird from very similar Allen's Hummingbird.
© Lee-Hong Chang / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, August 10, 2017Female/immature male
Females/immatures are greenish above with rusty-washed flanks, rusty patches on their green tail, and often a spot of orange on the throat.
© Bryan Calk / Macaulay LibraryArizona, August 09, 2020Adult male
Aggressive hummingbird that tirelessly chases other hummingbirds away from feeders.
© Glenn Kincaid / Macaulay LibraryUtah, July 25, 2017Immature male
Immature males often look messy as their new feathers come in, showing features of both immature and adult plumages.
© Michael Emenaker / Macaulay LibraryColorado, August 16, 2016Female/immature male
Females/immatures are greenish above with rusty-washed flanks and rusty patches on their green tail.
© Matt Davis / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, August 05, 2020Habitat
Breeds in open or shrubby areas, forest openings, yards, and parks, and sometimes in forests, thickets, swamps, and meadows from sea level to about 6,000 feet.
© Ashley Merritt / Macaulay LibraryArizona, July 31, 2016Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
Hummingbirds(Order: Caprimulgiformes, Family: Trochilidae)
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